Spanglish

Review: Adam Sandler grows up in this dysfunctional family dramedy.

by Spence D.

December 16, 2004

Despite the prominence of his name and image on the posters, and the fact that he's the most recognizable of the actors involved, this is not an Adam Sandler picture. Sure, Sandler appears in the film, but it's in a supporting, rather than starring role. Now that we've got that out of the way, Spanglish is a sometimes entertaining, sometimes poignant, but more often than not, cliché-ridden drama/comedy about a dysfunctional family whose values and outlook on life are forever changed when a stranger enters their lives. Sound familiar? Sure it does, because it's the tried and true blueprint used by countless other dramedies ranging from Down and Out in Beverly Hills to House Guest and Uncle Buck, just to name a few off the top of my head.

In case you're still in the dark, the plotline is such that it takes a thoroughly odd, borderline outcast to enlighten and broaden the minds of the central family in the film. In terms of Spanglish, said outsider character arrives in the form of Flor (the amazingly beautiful Paz Vega), a Spanish-speaking illegal immigrant from Mexico who takes a job as the affluent Clasky family housekeeper in order to support herself and her young daughter.

Told from the vantage point of Flor's daughter, who assumes the role of narrator, the story unfolds as one of a daughter's growing love and respect for her mother. At least that's the root of the story, unfortunately due to Hollywood tinkering, the story ultimately veers off to focus on the dysfunctional operations of the Clasky family as any semblance of their nuclear cohesion dissolves and is eventually glued back together as a result of the strength and compassion of Flor. As such the narration, while an interesting device, is never really utilized to its fullest potential. In fact, the film's major downfall is that it really does try to tackle too many story angles all at once, thus never devoting its attention to fully developing any of them. If the filmmakers had chosen one specific tract and stuck with it, they would have ended up with a much more cohesive and succinct picture (not to mention they probably would have been able to trim a bit off the rump numbing 131-minute running time).

Adam Sandler and Tea Leoni in Spanglish

Despite the cliché-ridden story propelled by equally cliché-ridden characters, the assembled actors tackle their often shallow and routine roles with a considerable amount of panache. Tea Leoni is so consumed by her role that she often goes over-the-top, but she creates a character that gets under your skin and annoys you to no end. It's a testament to talent when an actor can create a character that the audience loathes. Hollywood veteran Cloris Leachman does the same with her trite character, the requisite live-in mother-in-law lush. Given the narrow parameters (not to mention the extremely tired alcoholic angle), Ms. Leachman shows a considerable amount of grace and fortitude.

But the stars of the film are really Vega and Sandler. Yes, I know I made a point of stating that Sandler was not the star earlier, but he truly does shine in his supporting role as chef John Clasky. It's obvious that Sandler is attempting to pull a Robin Williams/Jim Carrey move and take more "adult" roles that take him out of his familiar angry goof persona and contrary to what many would believe (although he more or less proved his chops in Punch-Drunk Love, even if that role was merely a restrained version of his angry man act), Sandler can handle drama. With his kinkily grown out hair he resembles a younger, chubbier Albert Brooks. And he only reverts to his agro, spastic self during one, brief scene, spending the rest of the film in a more or less Zen-like calm that befits his ruffled character.

Vega, on the other hand, is a pure joy, lighting up the screen every moment she is there. A star of Spanish film, she makes her Hollywood debut here and it's very promising, to say the least. One can only hope that she is given more substantial scripts that will utilize her talents more fully. But as with Leoni and Leachman, Vega turns a rather cliché character into a fiery, emotional, resilient, strong woman who is more than admirable. It would be all too easy to peg her as the next Salma or Penelope, but with so few vibrant Latino leading ladies to choose from in Hollywood, one cannot avoid the comparisons. However Vega seems to encapsulate the strengths of both the aforementioned beauties into one complete package.

In the end it is the strong performances of the cast  particularly those of Leoni, Sandler, and Vega  that make Spanglish somewhat watchable. What the film really accomplishes is bringing to light the fact that Tea Leoni really is a great comedic actress and Hollywood should take advantage of her talents; Adam Sandler is capable of drama, folks, and as such he should be sent more "serious" scripts; Paz Vega is a rising star and if nothing else this film at least should hip those outside of the Spanish film community to her talents.